Life Stinks (1991)

A filthy rich businessman bets a corporate rival that he can live on the streets of L.A. without the comforts of home or money, which proves to be tougher than he thought.

Director:

Mel Brooks

Writers:

Mel Brooks (story), Ron Clark (story)

Stars:

Mel Brooks, Lesley Ann Warren, Jeffrey Tambor

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Mel Brooks	...	Goddard Bolt
Lesley Ann Warren	...	Molly
Jeffrey Tambor	...	Vance Crasswell
Stuart Pankin	...	Pritchard
Howard Morris	...	Sailor
Rudy De Luca	...	J. Paul Getty
Teddy Wilson	...	Fumes
Michael Ensign	...	Knowles
Matthew Faison	...	Stevens
Billy Barty	...	Willy
Brian Thompson	...	Mean Victor
Raymond O'Connor	...	Yo
Carmine Caridi	...	Flophouse Owner
Sammy Shore	...	Reverend at Wedding
Frank Roman	...	Spanish Interpreter

Storyline

Sticking to great comedy in a way no one else can, Mel Brooks plays a wealthy business man who finds himself getting suckered into a bet with a rival business over the worst slum area of L.A. They both want to develop on it and both own half. Mel agrees to living as a homeless person in this neighborhood. If he can make it 30 days without his wallet or anything else, then the rival will sign over his half of the property. It's full of visual gags, one liners and even some heart warming scenes. Mel's character learns a lot along the way.

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Plot Keywords:

homelessness | businessman | bet | greed | satire | 

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Taglines:

From Fortune 500 ... to fortune's fool.

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Genres:

Comedy

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Certificate:

PG-13

Did You Know?

Trivia

Mel Brooks considers this film his best work as an actor.

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Quotes

Goddard Bolt: [Holding a shoebox full of Sailor's ashes; looks skyward as he starts giving a eulogy] Sailor, wherever you are...
Molly: [taps the shoebox that he's holding] He's in there...
Goddard Bolt: I know.
Goddard Bolt: [continues] Sailor, you were a little man, often covered with dirt and filth and... the last thing that you ate. But your heart was always good and clean. And I hope you get your final wish, and your ashes make it out to sea.
Goddard Bolt: Good luck!
[...]

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Connections

Referenced in Mystery Science Theater 3000: Teenagers from Outer Space (1992)

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Soundtracks

Easy to Love
Words and Music by Cole Porter
© 1936 Chappell & Co. (Renewed)
All Rights Reserved

User Reviews

Underrated

This is easily the most underrated film inn the Brooks cannon. Sure, its flawed. It does not give a realistic view of homelessness (unlike, say, how Citizen Kane gave a realistic view of lounge singers, or Titanic gave a realistic view of Italians YOU IDIOTS). Many of the jokes fall flat. But still, this film is very lovable in a way many comedies are not, and to pull that off in a story about some of the most traditionally reviled members of society is truly impressive. Its not The Fisher King, but its not crap, either. My only complaint is that Brooks should have cast someone else in the lead (I love Mel as a Director and Writer, not so much as a lead).

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English Spanish

Release Date:

26 July 1991 (USA)

Also Known As:

Life Sucks

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$13,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$1,920,215, 28 July 1991

Gross USA:

$4,102,526

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$4,102,526

Company Credits

Production Co:

Brooksfilms, MGM-Pathé Communications Co.

Technical Specs

Runtime:

92 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1